Photographer Transforms the Iconic St. Peter’s Basilica From Renaissance to Cyberpunk

Sci-Fi St. Peter's Basilica in Red Lights: Vatican by Aishy

The futuristic cyberpunk genre and traditional Renaissance architecture may not seem like an easy pairing. But as art director and photographer Aishy shows, they can together create something that's truly unique. In his series Red Lights: Vatican, the creative uses dramatic red and blue tones to transform the aesthetic of Basilica San Pietro di Vaticano (or St. Peter’s Basilica) from Renaissance to cyberpunk.

Aishy captures these beautifully detailed shots with a Sony A7RIII and later alters the lighting with Adobe Lightroom. The ornate details throughout the basilica can be understood in a completely new way when no longer shown in its typical illumination. Though this science fiction aesthetic is often used to represent hyper-futuristic interiors full of LED lights and steel construction, the pairing of the red and blue palette with 16th-century architecture creates a striking and intriguing contrast.

This isn’t the first time Aishy has used his photography to present us with a new way to understand space. We were also inspired by his past series that reimagine Japanese cities. Scroll down for Red Lights: Vatican, and when you're done, you can find the photographer’s curated portfolio on his website.

In Red Lights: Vatican, Aishy transforms St. Peter's Basilica with red and blue hues to give it a cyberpunk feel.

Sci-Fi St. Peter's Basilica in Red Lights: Vatican by Aishy

Sci-Fi St. Peter's Basilica in Red Lights: Vatican by Aishy

The futuristic genre and traditional Renaissance architecture may not seem like an easy pairing…

Sci-Fi St. Peter's Basilica in Red Lights: Vatican by Aishy

Sci-Fi St. Peter's Basilica in Red Lights: Vatican by Aishy

… but the combination of the red and blue palette with 16th-century architecture creates a striking and intriguing contrast.

Sci-Fi St. Peter's Basilica in Red Lights: Vatican by Aishy

Sci-Fi St. Peter's Basilica in Red Lights: Vatican by Aishy

This isn’t the first time Aishy has used his photography to present us with a new way to understand space. We were also inspired by his past series that reimagine Japanese cities.

Sci-Fi St. Peter's Basilica in Red Lights: Vatican by Aishy

Sci-Fi St. Peter's Basilica in Red Lights: Vatican by Aishy

Sci-Fi St. Peter's Basilica in Red Lights: Vatican by Aishy

Aishy: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Behance

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Aishy.

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Samantha Pires

Sam Pires is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met and one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She is also a freelance architectural designer. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from NJIT and is currently earning a Master in Architecture II from the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Sam has design experience at multiple renowned architecture firms such as Gensler and Bjarke Ingels Group. She believes architecture should be more accessible to everyone and uses writing to tell unexpected stories about the built environment. You can connect with her online at @sampir.fi.
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